Mindfulness. Minimalism. Melbourne.

July 5, 2018June 26, 2018

It’s the little things

I’ve been noticing how little things can make a big difference. A few small changes can result in a large increase of joy. Here are some of mine…

Tea & Sympathy: I’ve rediscovered the joy of toast and tea. How glorious is the crunch of a crust and a sip of a brew in the afternoon? Why have I been denying myself this simple pleasure? Toast with vegemite and an Earl Grey Tea feels like coming home. Heaven!

Heartwarming: I’ve stoically refused to put the heater on and shivered in cold sheets throughout previous winters in the name of saving money and toughing it out. But not any more my friend. I have bought all the things (and for very reasonable Kmart prices) to cosy up with; blankets, hot water bottle, fan heater, fluffy socks. Cosy is giving me life.

Fact or fiction: I do love a self-help book and have previously immersed myself in reading these for personal development purposes. But recently I’ve returned to fiction and have loved surrendering to a good story. An opportunity to escape the daily grind, live in a different world for a while and yet another reason to hop into bed earlier still.

Café coffee: I told myself that buying coffee out was a waste of money and time. But the joy (and strength) of a proper coffee, café atmosphere and access to the shiny bits of the paper far outweigh the dollars saved. It would be a waste to live in the heartland of bearded baristas and not indulge right?!

I like your new stuff better than your old stuff: I do adhere to a reduce, reuse, recycle policy as much as possible. But replacing over-stretched undies and socks with holes in them with new ones feels amaze! Likewise getting rid of dead plants and mangled toothbrushes. Simple and joyful!

What little things can you do to bring you joy more frequently? After all…

“It’s the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps”. Sharon Draper

Planning a holiday is quite satisfying, booking flights, selecting seats and meals, checking out Groupon, TripAdvisor, Airbnb… choosing between vibrant holiday resorts and cosy homestays, deciding whether go for public transport or car rental, pre-purchasing tickets and passes, until I put together a perfect plan and stick to it. If you created your holiday from the scratch in your way, instead of buying a holiday deal from Flightcentre, it is going to be so memorable, even after many years time.

“Joy comes in sips not gulps” I love it!!! I have been the same in the past. Not putting on the heater until it gets to an ‘acceptable’ time. This year I have decided not to do that. If the house is cold I crank up that bad boy lol.
I too have been lured away from self help books. I am currently reading your highly recommended You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay but once I am done with that I am going to read Me Before You.
I love the first sip of a coffee in the morning. I love the sound of the birds chirping. Fresh flowers, giggling children, smiling elderly, the smell of the air. All of those little things are the best!